Communications system, infrastructure equipment, communication terminal and method

ABSTRACT

A communications system communicating data to/from a communications terminal includes plural wireless communications networks to transmit/receive signals to/from the communications terminal via wireless access interfaces. The communications terminal receives from an access server selection information for selecting one of the wireless communications networks, for transmitting or receiving the data in accordance with the selection information in combination with one or more determined measurements of the wireless access interface of the wireless communications networks. The access server includes an indication of a preferred communications characteristic for transmitting or receiving the signals representing the data, and in accordance with the preferred communications characteristic the communications terminal adapts the determined measurements and selects one of the wireless communications networks which most closely satisfy the preferred communications characteristic in accordance with the adapted-determined measurements.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/025,386, filed on Mar. 28, 2016, which is based on PCT filingPCT/EP2014/073152, filed on Oct. 28, 2014, and claims priority to EP13199482.4, filed on Dec. 23, 2013, the entire contents of each areincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention relates to communications systems, infrastructureequipment, and communications terminals for communicating data, andmethods of communicating data.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Extending mobile communications network coverage, increasing networkcapacity, and increasing the variety of devices served are all aspectsfor which improvement is desired of next generation mobilecommunications networks. This increase in capacity and variety ofdevices may in turn lead to a significant increase in the number ofcommunications devices served by mobile communications networks. Forexample, the increased capacity and coverage of next generationcommunications networks such as 3GPP long term evolution (LTE) have ledto proposals for the use of machine type communications (MTC) devices.MTC devices are typically low-data rate devices that only occasionallycommunicate with infrastructure equipment in a communications networkand may for example be smart utility meters and information gatheringdevices in cars or personal medical equipment. Accordingly, because ofthe potential ubiquity of MTC devices, their use may lead to largeincreases in the number of communications devices being served by anetwork.

It is known that a communication terminal may access more than onecommunications network to transmit or to receive data, and furthermorethe communications networks may be of different types. These may be 3GPPcommunications networks or non-3GPP communications networks. At presenta communications terminal is arranged to attach to a particular networkfor communicating data in accordance with rules determined by an AccessNetwork Discovery and Selection Function (ANDSF), which is programmed byan operator which has provided the communications terminal to a user.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, acommunications system communicates data to and from a communicationsterminal. The communications system comprises a plurality of wirelesscommunications networks arranged to transmit signals to and receivesignals from the communications terminal via wireless access interfaces.An access server is configured to provide selection information tocommunications terminals representing rules for selecting one of thewireless communications networks to transmit data to or receive datafrom the wireless communications network. The communications terminal isconfigured to receive from the access server the selection informationfor selecting one of the wireless communications networks, which thecommunications terminal should access for transmitting or receiving thedata, to determine one or more measurements of the wireless accessinterfaces of the wireless communications networks, and to select one ofthe wireless communications networks for transmitting or receiving thedata in accordance with the selection information in combination withthe one or more determined measurements of the wireless access interfaceof the wireless communications networks. The access server is providedwith an indication of a preferred communications characteristic fortransmitting or receiving the signals representing the data, and independence upon the preferred communications characteristic the accessserver is configured to adapt the selection information transmitted tothe communications terminal for selecting the one of the wirelesscommunications networks, and in accordance with the preferredcommunications characteristic the communications terminal is configuredto adapt the determined measurements, and to select one of the wirelesscommunications networks which most closely satisfies the preferredcommunications characteristic in accordance with the adapted-determinedmeasurements.

According to some examples of the present technique a communicationsterminal is provided with selection information from an access serversuch as an Access Network Discovery and Selection Function (ANDSF) fordetermining which of a plurality of communications networks thecommunications terminal should use to transmit or to receive data, theselection information being adapted in accordance with the preferredcommunications characteristic of the communications terminal.Furthermore the measurement performed by the communications terminal toselect one of the wireless access networks is also adapted in accordancewith the preferred communications characteristic.

In some examples the preferred communications characteristic may be forexample that the communications terminal is a type which requires areduced power consumption, or will transmit delay tolerant data or has alow or no mobility. In some examples, the preferred communicationscharacteristic may be implied from the type or class of thecommunications terminal such as whether it is an MTC type device.

The determined measurements may be an indication of a type of wirelessaccess interface provided by the wireless communications networks and/ora current status of the wireless communications networks to transmit orto receive data from the communications terminals. Accordingly thecommunications terminal can select a most appropriate one of thewireless communications networks based upon, for example, the capabilityof the communications terminal, the application for which thecommunications terminal is being used and accordingly which of thewireless communications networks is most appropriate for thecommunications terminal.

Various further aspects and embodiments of the disclosure are providedin the appended claims, including, but not limited to, a communicationsterminal, infrastructure equipment and methods of communicating databetween a communications terminal and in infrastructure equipment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described by way ofexample only with reference to the accompanying drawing in which likeparts are provided with corresponding reference numerals and in which:

FIG. 1 provides a schematic block diagram of an example communicationssystem;

FIG. 2 provides a simplified illustration of a communications terminal(UE) communicating via a 3GPP IP access network or a non-3GPP IP accessnetwork to and ANDSF server as part of a home network;

FIG. 3 provides a simplified illustration of a communications terminal(UE) communicating with an ANDSF server via a 3GPP IP access network ornon-3GPP access network, which the communications terminal has roamed toa visited network;

FIG. 4 provides a message flow diagram illustrating an inter-systemchange between a 3GPP network and non-3GBP network as defined in TS24.302;

FIG. 5a is a schematic representation of operations performed by acommunications terminal and infrastructure equipment according to afirst part of an access point discovery process; FIG. 5b is a schematicrepresentation of operations performed by the communications terminalaccording to a second part of an access point discovery process, inwhich the communications terminal receives selection information from anANDSF server; FIG. 5c is a schematic representation of operationsperformed by the communications terminal according to a third part of anaccess point discovery process, in which the communications terminalperforms measurements of the networks which are available to it; andFIG. 5d is a schematic representation of operations performed by thecommunications terminal according to a fourth part of an access pointdiscovery process, in which the communications terminal selects one ofthe available networks;

FIG. 6a is a schematic representation of operations performed by acommunications terminal and infrastructure equipment according to anaccess point discovery process according to the present technique inwhich the communications terminal receives adapted selectioninformation; FIG. 6b is a schematic representation of operationsperformed by the communications terminal according to an access pointdiscovery process according to the present technique, in which thecommunications terminal takes measurement of the wireless accessnetworks which are available to it; FIG. 6c is a schematicrepresentation of operations performed by the communications terminalaccording to an access point discovery process according to the presenttechnique, in which the communications terminal selects one of theavailable networks;

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example in which acommunications terminal (UE) can communicate via different types ofmobile communications networks and selects a most appropriatecommunications network according to its requirements;

FIG. 8 is a simplified schematic block diagram of a communicationsterminal (UE);

FIG. 9 is a message flow diagram illustrating a process flow in which acommunications terminal (UE) receives information from an ANDSF serverand selects an appropriate communications network based on a tariffprovided by operators of communications networks;

FIG. 10 is a message flow diagram illustrating a process in which acommunications terminal (UE) receives information from different ANDSFservers which are attached to different communications networks andreceives an indication of cost for communicating data via the differentcommunications networks in accordance with a request from thecommunications terminal;

FIG. 11 is a message flow diagram illustrating a process in which acommunications terminal (UE) receives additional information provided byan ANDSF server which itself is provided with an indication of a currentstatus of a radio access network part of different communicationsnetworks; and

FIG. 12 is an illustrative flow diagram of the operations performed bycommunications terminal and infrastructure equipment according to thepresent technique.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present technique will now be described withreference to an implementation which uses a mobile communicationsnetwork operating in accordance with the 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE)standard. FIG. 1 provides the example architecture of an LTE network. Asshown in FIG. 1 and as with a conventional mobile communicationsnetwork, mobile communications devices (UE) 101 are arranged tocommunicate data to and from infrastructure equipment 102. Theinfrastructure equipment 102 may also be referred to as a base stationor an enhanced node B (eNodeB) and the communications terminals may bereferred to as user equipment (UE), mobile devices and user devicesetc., where these devices may take the form of smart phones, tabletcomputers or machine type communications (MTC) devices for example. Insome examples the communications network of FIG. 1 may operate inaccordance with 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) where the communicationterminals also operate in accordance with LTE. Therefore in thefollowing description, by way of example, LTE/SAE terminology and namesare used. However embodiments of the present technique can be applied toother mobile communications systems such as UMTS and GERAN with the GPRScore network.

The base stations or eNodeB's 102 are connected to a serving gatewayS-GW 106 which is arranged to perform routing and management of mobilecommunications services to the communications devices 101 as they roamthroughout the mobile communications network. In order to maintainmobility management and connectivity, a mobility management entity (MME)108 manages the enhanced packet service (EPS) connections with thecommunications devices 101 using subscriber information stored in a homesubscriber server (HSS) 110. Other core network components include apacket data gateway (P-GW) 112 which connects to an internet network116. More information may be gathered for the LTE architecture from thebook entitled “LTE for UMTS OFDM and SC-FDMA based radio access”, HolmaH. and Toskala A. page 25 ff.

The term communications device may be used throughout this descriptionor alternatively the term user equipment (UE) may be used for thecommunications device or terminal. These expressions may be usedinterchangeably to refer to equipment which transmits or receives datavia a communications network.

Also shown in FIG. 1 is the packet gateway 112 which is connected via aninternet connection 116 to an Access Network Discovery and SelectionFunction (ANDSF) 120. The ANDSF contains data management and controlfunctionality which is necessary to provide network discovery andselection assistance data to the user equipment 101 in accordance withan operator's policy. The ANDSF 120 responds to a UE 101 requests foraccess network discovery information in a pull mode and maybe able toinitiate data transfer to the UE in a push mode based on networktriggers or as a result of previous communication with a UE 101.

There are two modes in which the ANDSF 120 may operate depending onwhether the UE 101 has roamed from a home network to a visited network.FIG. 2 provides an example illustration of a network in which the UE 101is still attached to its home network and receives information fromANDSF 120.1 whereas in the example of FIG. 3 the UE 101 has roamed to avisited network. As shown in FIG. 2, the UE 101 may connect to an ANDSF120.1 via either a 3GPP IP access through a trusted network or via anon-trusted non-3GPP IP access network such as via a Wi-Fi link, bluetooth or Zigbee or other wireless access interface 150. However, for theexample shown in FIG. 2 the UE 101 has remained within its home networkand therefore accesses the home ANDSF 120.1. In contrast in FIG. 3 theUE has roamed to a visited network and therefore accesses both the homeANDSF 120.1 and a visited ANDSF 120.2 in order to receive informationdirecting the UE to attach and communicate via either a 3GPP IP accesstrusted network or via an untrusted non-3GPP IP access network 150. Ineither case the UE 101 is communicating via a standardized interface S14which is explained in 3GPP technical specification TS23.402 at section4.8.

For either of the two cases shown in FIG. 2 or 3 in which the UE 101receives information from the ANDSF from its home ANDSF 120.1 or avisited ANDSF 120.2, the UE 101 is directed to attached to a particularnetwork, in accordance with a rule or direction received from thevisited ANDSF 120.2 in combination with information or a rule receivedfrom the home ANDSF 120.1.

To this end, an example message flow diagram illustrating a messageexchange between the UE 101 and the ANDSF 120 is shown in FIG. 4. Themessage flow diagram shown in FIG. 4 is taken from 3GPP TS24.302 the10.7.0 (2012-03) and refers to an access to a 3GPP evolved packet core(EPC) via a non-3GPP access networks for inter-system change between3GPP access network and non-3GPP access network. In the signalling flowan inter-system change procedure between 3GPP access network andnon-3GPP access network using information obtained from ANDSF is made.In this example the UE uses DHCP query to obtain the IP address of theANDSF. However, the communication between the UE and ANDSF server doesnot imply use of any specific protocol.

The procedure shown in FIG. 4 is summarized as follows:

-   M1. Initial connectivity: The UE is connected to 3GPP network, the    connection allowing the UE to access the ANDSF server 120 to perform    an ANDSF discovery in steps S2 and S3. The current applications are    supported over the 3GPP access network. The procedure remains the    same if the UE is initially connected to non-3GPP access network and    wants to change to 3GPP access network.-   S2. Pre-provisioned policies: The inter-system mobility policy is    pre-provisioned on the UE already. Based on pre-provisioned operator    policies the UE has preference for different non-3GPP networks such    as WLAN, and WiMAX. The UE can select these access networks when    they are available.-   S3. ANDSF Discovery: ANDSF discovery is performed in accordance with    a known procedure, for example as described in subclause 6.8.2.2.1    of TS24.302. The UE can discover ANDSF using DHCP query options as    specified in IETF RFC 6153, where ANDSF may be identified with a    specific sub-option code. Optionally, the home operator can provide    ANDSF information and security parameters for application layer    authentication. Transport security is ensured by establishing an    https tunnel between the UE and ANDSF.-   M4. Policy Update based on Network Triggers: Based on network    triggers the ANDSF sends an updated inter-system mobility policy to    the UE. The inter-system mobility policy includes validity    conditions, for example conditions indicating when the policy is    valid. Such conditions can include time duration, location area,    etc.-   S5. Evaluate which non-3GPP networks to discover: The inter-system    mobility policies specify the access networks that the UE can    select; the UE has both WLAN and WiMAX radios. In this case, the    inter-system mobility policy provided by the operator allows the UE    to select either WLAN or WiMAX networks under all conditions. The    UE, taking into account of the UE's local policy, e.g. user    preference settings, access history, obtains information about    availability of both WLAN and WiMAX access networks in its vicinity.-   M6. Access Network Information Request: The UE 101 sends a request    to the ANDSF 120 to get information about available access networks.    The UE 101 also includes its location information in the request.    ANDSF 120 can limit the information sent to UE 101 based on internal    settings.-   M7. Access Network Information Response: The ANDSF sends a response    to the UE which includes the list of available access networks types    (in order of operator preferences), access network identifier and    PLMN identifier. In this case the ANDSF responds with availability    of both WLAN and WiMAX network in the vicinity of the UE.-   S8. Evaluate candidate non-3GPP networks: Based on the received    information received from the ANDSF 120 and the UE's local policy,    the UE evaluates if it is within the coverage area of the available    access networks in the order of preferences. In this case, based on    the history and radio quality of WiMAX, the UE prefers WiMAX over    WLAN access type. The UE powers on the WiMAX radio and checks for    the presence of WiMAX network. The UE can listen to WiMAX broadcast    messages (uplink/downlink channel data messages) and determines the    presence of WiMAX network. Since the WiMAX network is the preferred    network and since the UE has verified the presence of WiMAX network,    the UE does not check for presence of WLAN network.-   S9. Non-3GPP Network Selection: The UE selects the most preferred    available access network for inter-system mobility. In this case the    UE selects the WiMAX access network.-   M10. Inter-system change Procedure: The UE initiates inter-system    change procedure to the selected non-3GPP access network. The    details of the inter-system change procedure are described in 3GPP    TS 23.402 the contents of which are incorporated herein by    reference.

As a way of summarising the ANDSF discovery process presented in FIG. 4,a more pictorial presentation of the ANDSF discovery process shown inFIG. 4 is presented in FIGS. 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d . As shown in FIG. 5a , acommunications terminal (UE) 101 first attaches to a mobilecommunications network, such as a 3GPP network, which may operate forexample in accordance with LTE so that the UE 601 can perform an accessnetwork discovery using the ANDSF server 120. The UE 601 may also accessother communications networks represented by the eNBs 102 or otherwireless access points 501 may be available to the UE 601. Asrepresented in FIG. 5b , the ANDSF server 120 communicates the rulerepresenting selection information 503, which should be used by the UE601 to select one of the 3GPP access networks or a non-3GPP accessnetwork. As represented in FIG. 5c , the UE 601 then evaluates thecommunications networks 102 and the access point 501 which are availableto it, by measuring the signal strength of signals 505 received from themobile communications networks or any of the access points which the UE601 is able to receive. This aspect of the access network discovery,which is shown in FIG. 5c , corresponds to the process steps S5 and S8of the signal flow diagram shown in FIG. 4. During this process, the UE601 determines which of the mobile communications networks 102, 501 theUE should use to transmit or receive data according to the rule it hasbeen provided by the ANDSF server 120 in combination with themeasurements which it has performed. Finally as shown in FIG. 5d , theUE 601 communicates data using the mobile communications network 102 orthe access point 501 which it has selected.

UE Directed Network Selection

Embodiments of the present technique can provide an arrangement in whicha UE 601 selects an access network, whether this is a 3GPP accessnetwork or a non-3GPP access network, based on decision criteria andrules which are determined by the UE. In one example, the decision as towhich access network the UE should use to communicate is determined bythe UE in combination with information received from an ANDSF server. Insome examples, the decision made by the UE as to which network to accessmay be made as a result of rules or information provided to the UE incombination with measurements conducted by the UE.

As a general illustration of the present technique, embodiments operateas illustrated in FIGS. 6a, 6b and 6c which correspond substantially tothe illustration shown in FIGS. 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d , but adapted inaccordance with an example embodiment. FIG. 6a provides an exampleillustration of an arrangement in which the UE 601 is arranged toreceive an adapted rule or adapted rules in order to make a selection ofa most appropriate network including adapted measurements for selectingthe most appropriate network 602. In accordance with the presenttechnique the ANDSF server 604 is arranged to receive an indication of acommunications characteristic specifying the requirements for thesignals which are to be communicated by the UE 601.

There are for example two ways in which the ANDSF server 604 couldreceive the indication of the communications characteristic which the UE601 which is most appropriate for the UE according for example to itsclass or type. In a first example a home subscriber server 606communicates with the ANDSF server 604 providing in advance anindication of the type of communication which the UE will betransmitting. Alternatively, the UE 601 could transmit signalsindicating the communications characteristic which the UE 601 desires tothe ANDSF server 608.

In accordance with a conventional operation as shown in FIG. 5a the UE601 initially attaches to a mobile communications network via the basestation 610 in order to access the ANDSF server 604. Thus in accordancewith the conventional ANDSF discovery process shown in FIG. 5a the UE601 receives the rule selection. However in accordance with the presenttechnique, the rule or rules 600 received by the UE 601 are adapted inaccordance with the communications characteristic which the UE 601desires and correspondingly there is also an adaptation of themeasurements which the UE performs in order to make the selection whichare provided in the adapted measurements indication 602.

FIG. 6b illustrates an arrangement in which the UE 601 adapts themeasurements which it performs. The measurements 620 are adapted inaccordance with the type of communication which a UE 601 is to perform.An example of adapted measurements which the UE 601 could performinclude signal strength, if the UE is to receive the best signalquality, but the measurements may also include determining a delay whichthe network may incur when transmitting or receiving data. Otherexamples of the measurements which the UE 601 may make include whethermobility is supported by the communications network and the extent towhich mobility is allowed and a rate at which data can be communicatedby the respective communications networks. Thus as shown in FIG. 6b theadapted measurements performed with respect to the signals 620 which arereceived from respective networks might include a 3GPP network includingtwo different base nations or eNBs 622 from different 3GPP networks aswell as other types of communications networks and access points forexample from a Zigbee transmitter/receiver 624, a Bluetooth transmitterreceiver 626 or non-3GPP access point such as Wi-Fi 628. Accordingly,the UE 601 can measure these signals in accordance with adaptedmeasurements signalled by the ANDSF server, or the adapted measurementscould be pre-configured into the UE 601. The UE 601 then makes aselection based on the adapted rules for selecting an appropriatenetwork and the adapted measurements.

Finally in FIG. 6c , the UE 601 selects one of the networks or accesspoints and communicates via that network for example the non-3GPP accesspoint 628.

Further example embodiments are described in the following paragraphs inwhich the adapted measurements are performed by the UE, which are eithersignalled to it by the ANDSF server or they may be pre-specified andpre-encoded into the UE. Then according to the adapted selection rulesprovided by the ANDSF server 604, the UE performs measurements and thenmakes the selection adapted in accordance with the type ofcommunications characteristic which the UE is to perform.

An example scenario in which the UE may select a network to access independence upon decision criteria performed by the UE is shown in FIG.7. As shown in FIG. 7, a base station 102 which would correspond to abase station providing a wireless access interface in accordance with a3GPP access is connected to an ANDSF server 604. It will be appreciatedthat the diagram shown in FIG. 7 has been simplified to illustrate aprocess of the UE 601 acquiring an access network in accordance with adetermination made by the UE from rules or measurement that it makes.The base station 102 provides a 3GPP wireless access network andtherefore forms a macro-cell coverage 200. Also available to the UE 601are shorter range and therefore lower power wireless access interfaces,such as, WiFi connections from WiFi access gateways 202, 204, 206. TheWiFi connections provide a shorter range and therefore smaller coveragearea 208. Correspondingly there may be other wireless access interfacesavailable to the UE 601 via transmitters or base stations 210 providinga shorter range communication. Therefore, FIG. 7 illustrates an examplein which the UE 601 has access to a 3GPP access network via a macro cell200 and also non-3GPP access networks via shorter range communicationssuch as the WiFi wireless access gateways 202, 204, 206 and anotherexample protocol such as Bluetooth, Zigbee or other wireless accessinterfaces 210.

FIG. 8 shows a simplified representation of the UE 601 which operates inthe example shown in FIG. 7 to access one of the non-3GPP accessnetworks or the 3GPP access network which are also represented in FIGS.6 and 7. As shown in FIG. 8, the UE 601 comprises a receiver 300, atransmitter 302 which are controlled by a controller 304 which hasaccess to a memory 306.

In accordance with the present technique the UE 601 determines whichnetwork to access based on decision criteria determined by thecontroller 304. The memory 306 may provide the controller 304 with ruleswhich should be followed to determine which access network the UE shouldattach to and communicate through. In one example the receiver 302 canprovide the controller 304 with information relating to the availabilityof access networks and the signal strength of available access networks.The transmitter and receiver may operate in accordance with aconventional arrangement to access different wireless access interfacessuch as the 3GPP wireless access interface or a non-3GPP wireless accessinterface.

In the following examples in which the UE 601 chooses which accessnetwork to use to communicate data in accordance with differentcommunications characteristics, which may be based on the type of theUE, which thereby provide decision criteria such as a selection tariff,power saving or mobility functions for example. In FIG. 7 for examplethe UE 601 may determine which access network to use in order tominimise a power consumed by the UE 601. This example may beparticularly applicable to a simplified UE such as that optimised formachine type communications (MTC). To this end, additional informationmay be provided from the ANDSF to determine a policy followed by the UE601. In some examples a plurality of different rules or decisioncriteria may be provided by the ANDSF 604, which define thecommunications characteristics which are used by the UE 601 to selectthe most appropriate access point. For example, the UE 601 may receive arule from the home network and visitor network if UE is roaming such asthe example illustrated in FIG. 3. Accordingly the UE 601 may select thesuitable rule depending on its current situation. In some examples theUE 601 may combine different criteria to make a determined policy. TheUE may decide the cell/access point selection policy based on the rulesand its current situation such as its receiving conditions, the poweravailable to it or the current state of the network.

Minimizing UE Power Consumption

As a first example, the UE is provided with a policy, according to whichthe first priority for UE is lower power consumption. Therefore in thisexample the communications characteristics provided to the ANDSF server604 is an indication that the UE should access a network which requiresthe lowest power consumption. This might be an indication that the UE isan MTC type device. The rule which may include measurements which the UEis to perform are provided from the ANDSF server 604. The rule and themeasurements therefore include provision for selecting the accessnetwork to achieve the lowest power consumed by the UE. Accordingly theUE selects a cells or access point in order to minimize the UE powerconsumption. The strategy of low power consumption may include selectinglow power technology, a smaller path-loss cell, an increased stand-bytime (long DRX) and so on. This information is therefore provided to theUE or included in the memory 306, which is accessed by the controller304 to implement the rule. The rule may therefore include the followinginformation:

-   -   Non-3GPP technologies case        -   Information on Low power radio access technologies (e.g.            ZigBee operation), so that the UE 601 performs measurements            to detect the type of wireless access interface;    -   HSPA/LTE Case        -   A likely Uplink transmission power consumption for access            networks which operate in accordance with 3GPP, and for the            available 3GPP access networks, to detect;            -   Small uplink pathloss cells                -   Small cell                -   Uplink relay        -   Whether the 3GPP is implemented to provide long stand-by            power consumption related information;            -   Whether a Super long DRX support cell/network

For the example illustrated in FIG. 7, the UE may perform the followingoperations to select a communications network (3GPP or non-3GPP) basedon the communications characteristic to minimize the power consumption:

-   -   1. The UE attaches to a communications network and accesses the        ANDSF server 604. The ANDSF server 604 is provided with an        indication that the UE has a preferred communications        characteristic such that the UE is a low power UE and therefore        should preferably be attached to a network which causes the        least power consumption.    -   2. The UE detects a macro cell coverage (or something zone like        Tracking Area) provided by the base station 102.    -   3. Then the UE sends the location/cell ID of the cell provided        by the base station 102 to the ANDSF Server 120 via the        macro-cell 200 (or via any other radio).    -   4. The ANDSF server 604 generates the ANDSF rule according to        current UE position/zone.    -   5. The ANDSF server 604 sends the rule to UE via macro cell (or        via any other radio) 200.    -   6. The UE 601601 receives ANDSF rule(s) from ANDSF server(s)        604.    -   7. The UE 601 performs measurements to determine the access        points and communications networks which are available from its        current location.    -   8. The UE 601 may receive assistance information from the base        station 102 within the Macro-cell 200. (e.g. interference, LTE        DRX cycle)    -   9. The UE 601 decides which cell/access point is the best/better        in terms of power consumption in accordance with the rule it has        received from the ANDSF server 604. (UE based selection, See        detail selection algorithm later)    -   10. The UE 601 searches for suitable cell/access point according        to policy.    -   11. The UE 601 connects to the cell/access point if UE 601 find        (if not, UE continues to search second selected one)    -   12. The UE 601 can than establish via connected cell/access        point.

If the UE 601 is in a fixed position, such as an example like an MTCapplication, for example a smart meter, some procedures could be omittedfrom the above steps above. For example, the UE 601 position/zone ispreconfigured, and/or ANDSF rule is pre-configured in the UE as adefault setting.

Network/Server Based Selection

Alternatively, the ANDSF server 120 or LTE/SAE network, or a combinationof the ANDSF server 120 and the network may select the cell/access pointinstead of UE-based selection. For example, the UE sends the measurementresults to the ANDSF server 604 regarding small cells/access points andthen the network selects the best cell/access point in terms of a powerwhich the UE 601 must consume when communicating via this network withthe latest information which the network has a knowledge (e.g.interference).

In another embodiment, the ANDSF server 120 may select the cell, whichwill require the least power to be consumed by the UE, based in part orin combination with the measurement results taken by the UE and thelatest information collected from network. Accordingly the selectionalgorithm performed by the UE (or network/server) to select the suitablecell/access point in terms of UE power consumption may be as follows:

The UE may make a selection of the cell/access point to reduce inaccordance with a shortest transmission distance. This is becausegenerally path-loss between UE and cell/access point is key factor foruplink power consumption as a result of a transmission power consumed bythe UE. Accordingly, a smaller loss/shorter distance is better foruplink power consumption. The UE may therefore select the accesspoint/cell based on the following priority:

-   -   1^(st), Short Range communication (ZigBee, Bluetooth)    -   2^(nd), Low power node, (small cell, relay)    -   3^(rd), WiFi, pico-cell (3GPP)    -   4^(th), Macro cell (LTE/W-CDMA)        Stand-by time is essential for power saving if UE is not so        active in uplink transmission.    -   1^(st), ZigBee (very low power sleep mode)    -   2^(nd), LTE with long discontinuous receive (DRX) cycle (Longer        is better for stand-by time)    -   3^(rd), Wifi (It seems not good at sleep mode/stand-by mode)

The controller 304 in the UE 601 (or the ANDSF server 604) may recordinformation representing an amount of data communicated with respect totime. Accordingly, the UE 601 can establish a pattern of communicationsresources used and to provide a history of a traffic pattern. Thecontroller 304 can therefore make a decision as to which accesspoint/cell to communicate via based upon the UE's traffic profile. Forexample, if the UE stays inactive longer, the power consumption instand-by time is prioritized. If the UE transmits uplink traffic moreoften, the uplink power consumption is prioritized.

Improved Coverage for the UE

According to another embodiment of the present technique, the UE 601determines the access point/cell based upon a coverage improvement. Inpreviously proposed arrangement the ANDSF server 604 is the cell/accesspoint accessed by the UE. i.e. which cell/access point exists near theUE. The actual coverage size varies depending on cell/access point andtype of radio access technology (RAT).

According to this example embodiment, the UE may select theaccess/point/cell in accordance with the following priority:

-   -   Non-3GPP technologies are preferred because these can provide a        greater bandwidth;        -   Availability of hot spot access points/indoor access point    -   LTE communications networks        -   Transmission power required to access a nearest 3GPP            network;            -   Downlink (normal) transmission power        -   Frequency-coverage information            -   Coverage information in carrier aggregation            -   RRH frequency        -   Availability of coverage improvement techniques            -   Availability of power boost (power headroom)            -   Support of TTI bundling        -   Availability of relay nodes            -   Relay nodes location/operation

As will be appreciated in some examples the UE may combine a rule whichprioritises the uplink coverage for the selection of the accesspoint/cell with a rule which aims to reduce uplink power transmission.In some examples access point/cell selection for a shorter path-loss iscommonly preferable.

In general, the substitute information may be used in line with aspecific selection strategy as outlined above. For example, theavailability of a power boost is likely to be changed dynamically.Therefore a congested cell list, which is statically defined in advance)or narrow band operation cell list, which is based on thehardware/software capability could be used. This information could bechanged dynamically or it may be semi-persistent unless thereplacement/software version update is performed.

A highly frequent information update is not suitable for ANDSF becausethis information is exchanged at the application layer. This means thata static or semi-static characteristic is preferable for ANDSF rulecompared to a dynamic one. If there is a correlation between dynamic oneand static one, then the static rule could be used. In that case, theinformation/measurement which indirectly shows the degree for specificpurpose could be replaced with that in the embodiment in line withselection strategy.

If some parameter, which are required to implement a specific strategy,are not easy to measure in terms of UE complexity/battery consumption,then it is envisaged that substitute parameter/information can be usedwhich has relation/correlation with original parameter within selectionstrategy. This substituted information could be applied correspondinglyto other embodiments.

Selection to Reduce Delay Critical/Low Latency Traffic

According to another example embodiment a rule is determined by thecontroller 304 from information provided from the memory 306 whichselects an access point/cell to minimize a delay for real timetraffic/emergency communication. In some examples of MTC applications aUE may communicate data which is generally delay tolerant type traffic.However, some other example applications such as online gaming requirethat data be communicated with low latency. A conventional ANDSF serverdoes not include information, which would allow an access point/cell isselected based on a tolerance of the data to be communicated to delay.In some examples a strategy to perform non-delay tolerant/delay tolerantcell selection is achieve by including information within the memory 306of the UE 601 based on the type of network in which the data is beingcommunicated. In general, the macro cell which has ideal (low delay)backhaul is preferable for non-delay tolerant communication, however thecapacity is limited. If the traffic is delay tolerant, a non-Macro cell(e.g. small cell) should be selected in terms of radio resource usage,such as a WiFi network rather than an LTE network or cellular mobilecommunications network.

According to an example embodiment therefore an access point/cell may beselected in accordance with the following information:

-   -   Non-3GPP technologies case        -   Delay tolerant network (e.g. mesh network)    -   LTE/W-CDMA Case        -   Delay by traffic congestion            -   Congestion in eNodeB scheduler        -   Backhaul delay            -   non-ideal backhaul for small cell            -   RRH with ideal backhaul    -   In general, delay is not so easy to indicate or predict as a        cell specific delay by parameter(s) in advance, because the        causes of delay are various and some of them are time variant        like traffic load. However, simple parameterization is required        for ANDSF because the rule should be prepared in advance. Thus,        this embodiment can identify the static characteristic like the        type of backhaul instead of actual delay value. This makes it        easier to prepare the rule in the ANDSF server.

High/Low Speed Mobility Support

According to some embodiments the access point/cell may be selected inorder to match a mobility requirement of the UE 601 to an ability of thenetwork to support that network. For example the network may be selectedin order to support high speed mobility. For example, in general, LTEmacro cell supports high mobility. Therefore if the UE needs highmobility, macro cell should be selected. Furthermore other access pointssuch as WiFi do not include any handover functionality and so would bepreferred for low mobility or static communications devices. Some radioaccess technologies for example provide support for only lowmobility/non-seamless handover support such as Wifi, which has smallcell coverage. However some applications may require seamless handover.

In order to avoid too frequent handover, above factors should be takeninto account:

-   -   Mobility support in radio access technology        -   High speed Mobility support        -   Seamless handover support        -   Paging support    -   Coverage of cell/access point        -   Coverage area/location per carrier        -   Continuity of coverage by Neighbour cells    -   Session time in application        -   Average session/communication time in the application

With regard to the coverage provided by a particular cell, aconventional LTE network does not include detailed coverage informationon neighbouring cells. Accordingly, the network just informs the UE of awhite list (the preferable cells to use) and a black list (prohibitedcells to use). However, in a real network, the coverage is not alwayscontinuous depending on carrier and/or bandwidth, for example for theLTE carrier aggregation operation case. On the contrary, there is littledisadvantage of discontinuous coverage for stationary UEs. Thus, in thisembodiment, the network determines how the coverage is formed, forexample, whether its continuous or discontinuous in a certain area wideenough for high mobility UE. For example, the wide area includes theneighbour of a neighbour's cells. As a result, a high mobility (fastmoving) UE can enjoy the continuous coverage and this reduces thehandover failure and/or unnecessary inter-frequency handover.

As will be appreciated this mobility related information may also beused for UE power consumption reduction. For example, if the UE has lowmobility, the cell/access point which the UE needs to discover could bereduced. In one example, the UE can save the power consumption tofind/search the cell/access point if candidate cell/access point isnarrowed down.

Minimizing the Communication Cost

According to another example rule which may be provided to the UE, thecontroller 304 may select an access point in order to reduce thecommunication cost for the network or the UE. According to this exampleembodiment a mobile operator may apply different pricing rules or apricing tariff for certain types of UEs, for example those operating inMTC/M2M type applications in comparison to users of conventional mobilephone/smart phone. For example, a non-linear cost versus traffic rulemay be applied, such as a kind of volume discount. Accordingly, if thecost of communicating set by the operator of an LTE network changesdynamically with demand and supply, the UE may select the accesspoint/cell which offers the lowest cost. According to this example, therule may include following information:

-   -   Free of charge access point info        -   Free Public WiFi        -   User's private network    -   Mobile operator cost info        -   LTE/HSPA communication Tariff        -   Temporary/seasonal discount information        -   Congestion information (if demand dependency price)    -   Non-3GPP operator info        -   Non-3GPP M2M operator's service availability        -   Communication cost/tariff

Tariff Based Selection Procedure

According to this example embodiment, the UE receives informationrepresenting a communications tariff from ADNSF servers. The UE thenjudges the best price network based on its own requirements of thecommunications network and given tariffs from servers.

FIG. 9 provides an example call flow diagram of the implementationaccording to this embodiment in which the UE 601 selects the accessnetwork from a choice of two access networks based on tariff informationprovided by each of the different access networks. As shown in FIG. 9 acommunications device such as an MTC UE 601 which has been adapted inaccordance with the present technique is arranged to attach to a basestation or wireless access point 102. The UE transmits a tariff requestmessage to each of two ANDSF servers 320, 322 which are operated by afirst operator A and a second operator B respectively. Thus each of thedifferent operators A and B may provide access to their respectivewireless access networks in accordance with a different payment tariff.Accordingly, the tariff request messages N71, N72 which are transmittedto respective ANDSF servers 320, 322 request an indication from theANDSF server of the tariff which is being enforced by the respectiveoperators. In step S72 and S73 each of the respective ANDSF servers 320,322 generate ANDSF rules for accessing the respective access networksand transmit an ANDSF rule tariff via messages M74, M75 to the UE 601.

In step S76 the UE compares the respective tariffs received in themessages providing the tariffs N74, N75 and determines which accessnetwork the UE should attach. Accordingly in step S77 the UE selects oneof the access networks and transmits via the base station 102 themessage M78, establishing communications via the selected wirelessaccess network which in the present example is the operator A via theANDSF server 320. Thus in step S79 communication is established betweenthe UE and the access network in accordance with a conventionaloperation. In message M710 the UE transmits a usage message to the ANDSFserver 320 of the operator A to indicate that it will be communicatingvia the access network operated by the operator A and may indicate theamount of data which is to be communicated via that access network.

Bid-Based Selection Procedure

In a further example embodiment of the present technique the UE 601 isarranged to determine which of the access networks it will use totransmit and/or receive data based on a bidding process. FIG. 10provides an example call flow diagram which corresponds to the call flowdiagram shown in FIG. 9 and so only the differences will be explained.As shown in FIG. 10 an MTC UE 601 is adapted in accordance with thepresent technique to transmit a bid request message M81, M82 to each ofthe respective ANDSF servers 320, 322 which are controlled by thedifferent operators of respective wireless access networks. The UE maydetermine its current communication requirements, which may include itslocation, traffic buffer status etc. The bid request messages mayinclude requested conditions for using the different accessed networkscontrolled by the ANDSF servers 320, 322, which may include for examplethe UE's location, cell, access point, possible traffic volume,time/hour in which communication is required and QoS requirements.

In step S83 and S84, the respective ANDSF servers 320, 322 transmit theANDSF rules. In the first example the ANDSF server 320 generates anANDSF rule in step S83 and transmits message M85 to the UE providing theANDSF rule which includes an offer price for carrying data for the UE601 for a particular price. Similarly the second ANDSF server 322controlled by an operator B generates the ANDSF rule in step S84 andtransmits via message M86 the ANDSF rule in response to the request forbid information from the UE 601. In steps S87 and S88 the UE comparesthe offered conditions for communicating from the respective operators Aand B and then selects the network which it will use to transmit data orreceive data. The UE 601 then transmits a message M89 to the accessnetwork via the base station 102 to which it will attach. Thus in stepS810 communication is established with the preferred access network.

Conventionally, tariffs for communicating data offered by an operatorare not so flexible and typically are fixed. However, these exampleembodiments may provide flexible pricing depending on demand/supply andavailable capacity. However this example embodiment can provide the UEwith the possibility to access the best pricing for the communicationsresources which is needs.

Assistance Information from 3GPP Network in Addition to ANDSF Rule

Conventional an ANDSF server 604 is not suitable for frequentinformation/rule updates to be performed between UE and ANDSF server604. If the rule is exchanged via 3G/4G network, an EPS bearerestablishment is required. A frequency of information exchange may initself cause high network load. This has less meaning for networkoff-loading. In general, the ANDSF rule should be static/semi-static andis not assumed to reflect latest network situation.

For an example application in which the UE is a reduced capabilitydevice such as for example an MTC type device, depending on anavailability of LTE radio resources, the MTC UE could enjoy someadditional improvement which are suitable for an MTC type device, suchas an improved coverage or low cost communication when communicationsresource are available due to low traffic. Therefore, some informationmay be provided to UE from a radio access network (RAN) part of acommunications network RAN directly, rather than from ANDSF sever.Alternatively, the ANDSF server may receive some information from theRAN directly not from UE.

At latest phase (3GPP TSG-RAN WG2 Meeting #82, Fukuoka, Japan, 20-24 May2013), 3GPP considered introducing the the network load measurement(e.g. WLAN RSSI, LTE RSRQ) and the threshold (which is the load level tohandover trigger) into RAN level signalling on top of ANDSF. However,according to some example embodiments of the present technique, someinformation which may be provided to a UE in order to make a decision asto which network to access. Examples of such additional assistanceinformation, which may be communicatioed to the UE from the RAN mayinclude radio resource availability as indicated by network. This mayinclude:

-   -   LTE radio resource availability        -   Availability of coverage improvement techniques            -   Availability of power boost (power headroom)            -   Support of TTI bundling                This information may broadcast with system information                block (SIB) or MBMS of an LTE configured network.

Examples of assistance information which may be transmitted from the RANto the ANDSF server may require some judgement to be performed by theANDSF server. This may include the latest radio resource information,which may be transferred to the ANDSF server from RAN nodes. Thiscommunication of the assistance information may not consume radioresources. This assistance information may include:

-   -   Availability of RAN resources        -   Power headroom of eNodeB        -   Uplink interferences        -   The number of connected UE            -   RAN level; RRC connected UE            -   CN level; Attached UE (EMM registered)    -   History information        -   The history of traffic pattern/radio resource consumption

This information may be collected with Si signalling and communicatedvia S-GW/P-GW to the ANDSF server.

Procedure/Message Sequence Between Nodes

According to this example embodiment the following examples of equipmentare required to configure and to implement this example embodiment:

-   -   UE (terminal): Typically, the UE has more than one radio access        technologies, such as LTE, Wi-Fi. However, in some examples the        UE may only have one radio access network, but can still be        arranged to implement one of the example embodiments in which an        access point/cell can be selected/handover made between an LTE        macro cell and LTE small cell. The UE may have a function for        inputting a user preference, which can be used by the end-user        to write the preference of handover/selection into a flash ROM        or can pre-configure the preference in the SIM-Card.    -   Base station/Access point (Radio Access): Typically, this is an        access point/base station such as LTE eNodeB, HSPA NodeB and        Wi-Fi Access point. However, example embodiments can be        implemented with a low power communication system like ZigBee,        ad-hoc network. This also includes the backhaul line from radio        access point.    -   IP transport network(Core network): This can be a general core        network function. One example is 3GPP EPC (Evolve Packet Core)        or general IP network like Internet.    -   Server (Application): This is a server which acts to provide        ANDSF functions. Typically, the server is located in the        application layer and has the function of OMA-DM (Open Mobile        Alliance-Device Management. In terms of physical location, it        may be co-located with other nodes like PDN-Gateway or        independent node.    -   Home subscriber server (subscriber information database):        Subscriber/User information is stored in the server. The        examples of stored data are user identifier (IMSI), Tracking        Area/Location Area in UE (for paging), service contract        information like charging plan.

A further example embodiment of the present technique will now bedescribed with reference to FIG. 11 which illustrates a process in whicha UE acquires information in order to make the selection of a particularcell in accordance with predetermined criteria. As shown in FIG. 11 a UE601 is arranged in step S91 to receive a default settings andpreferences for selecting a particular cell. Then the UE communicates inmessage M9 the user preferences to an application server 901 via a basestation 102, accordingly the UE sends the user preferences ofcell/network and capabilities to application server 901. For example,the user preferences my include an indication that the UE is a smartmeter, has low power communication, no mobility, access capability isLTE and ZigBee. Typically, this information is fixed or not so oftenchanged.

Thus the UE 601 has attached to an access network for first accessingthe application server 901 which maybe a 3GPP access network or maybe anon-3GPP wireless access point. In response an HSS 110 may also provideinformation such as history of the user activities and user preferencesof previous selections, preferences, capabilities, location and operatorcontract to the application server 901.

In step S95 the application server 901 generates the rule for selectingthe particular cell. Using a message M96 the UE or the base station 102may transmit UE assistance information such a current position of theUE, a mobility speed, an amount of power available to the UE to theapplication layer server 901.

In step S97 the application server modifies the ANDSF rules which are tobe used by the UE to select a particular access point/cell and/or aparticular network. The radio access network may send additionalinformation to assist the UE evaluation of the best access point/cell.These modified or selected rules are transmitted to the UE via a messageM98. In a message M99 the base station may also transmit networkassistance information indicating a current state of network traffic,for example, congestion or whether the UE should use a particularcarrier, cell congestion status, power boost information (remainingpower at the eNode B) and/or network. In step S100 the UE evaluates theinformation received from the network and the ANDSF rules received inmessage M98 in order to select a particular network, anaccess/point/cell or an operator. The UE then transmits a message M101to the base station 102 thereby selecting which access network the UEwill use.

Example embodiments of the present technique can provide advantages as aresult of providing additional information (MO: managed object) in theselection rule:

-   -   Delay critical application    -   Coverage imbalance solution (small uplink pathloss)    -   Effective use of un-used radio resources    -   Communication cost reduction        Providing additional assistance information can provide the        following advantages:    -   Quick reflection of the latest network status to UE selection        policy    -   Reduction of the radio network load and signalling.

Summary

Embodiments of the present technique can be arranged to provide datacommunication in accordance with a communications characteristicspecified by the UE, which can take MTC specific factors like the typeof application and its requirements into account. For example, inconventional LTE, the policy based on ANDSF rule(s) promotes UE toselect/handover to non-3GPP network when the UE is in the area where LTEcell is likely to be congested. Accordingly embodiments of the presenttechnique can provide a policy based on ANDSF rule(s) which promotes UEto select/handover of a suitable cell/network/operator for specific MTCrequirements/User preferences according to the information in the rule.For example, the rule prioritizes the delay critical/low latency; the UEreceives the information of delay for cell/network/operator andselects/handover the suitable cell (smaller delay). The UE then receivesthe same radio access (e.g. LTE macro cell which has large delaybackhaul/Small cell which has small delay backhaul), the cellselection/handover is induced.

Conventional Operation of the ANDSF Server

A conventional operation of an ANDSF server which provides a rule to theUE is configured with the ANDSF MO (Managed Object in 3GPP TS 24.312V10.5.0). The conventional ANDSF has following information:

-   -   Radio access (WiFi,Wimax, LTE etc)        -   priority network e.g. WLAN/LTE/WiMAX    -   Location/cell information        -   PLMN(operator network ID)        -   Area code(TAC/LAC/RAC)        -   Cell ID(LTE)        -   SS-ID(WLAN)    -   Applicable Time/date (in order to avoid busy hour)        -   TimeOfDay; start Time/Date and stop TimeDate

Embodiments of the present technique combine a UE's location withrelated applications/requirements and user preferences to select theaccess point/cell. For example, if the MTC terminal is smart meter, highspeed handover is less likely to occur. As a result, mobility relatedinformation should be optimized (omitted) in line with install MTC UEapplication. In addition, ANDSF server may collect supplementalinformation from RAN, especially if it is relatively dynamicallychanged. For example, ANDSF server receives the current UE moving speedfrom eNodeB and can customise the rule for UE.

Embodiments of the present technique operate generally in accordancewith the flow diagram shown in FIG. 12, which is summarised as follows:

S101: An access server, such as an ANDSF server, is provided withselection information for communications terminals to select one of thewireless access networks which are available to it. The selectioninformation represents rules for selecting one fo the wirelesscommunications network to transmit data to or receive data via awireless access interface.

S102: An access server is provided with an indication of a preferredcommunications characteristic for transmitting or receiving the signalsrepresenting the data for one or more identified communicationsterminals. The preferred communications characteristic may be forexample that the communications terminal is a type which requires areduced power consumption, or will transmit delay tolerant data or has alow or no mobility. In some examples, the preferred communicationscharacteristic may be implied from the type or class of thecommunications terminal such as whether it is an MTC type device.

S104: A communications terminal attaches to a wireless communicationsnetwork and uses that network to transmit a request for selectioninformation representing a rule providing decision criteria forselecting one the available wireless access networks.

S106: The access server recognises the communications terminal as one ofthe communications terminal for which it has adapted selectioninformation and transmits the adapted selection information to thecommunications terminal.

S108: The communications terminal receives the adapted selectioninformation and performs adapted measurements to determine the mostappropriate wireless access network to which it should attach accordingto its preferred communications characteristic. The determinedmeasurements may be an indication of a type of wireless access interfaceprovided by a wireless communications network and/or a current status ofthe wireless communications networks to transmit or to receive data fromthe communications terminals.

S110. The communications terminal selects one for the wirelesscommunications networks which most closely satisfy the preferredcommunications characteristic in accordance with the adapted-determinedmeasurements. The communications terminal can select a most appropriateone of the wireless communications networks based upon, for example, thecapability of the communications terminal, the application for which thecommunications terminal is being used and accordingly which of thewireless communications networks is most appropriate for thecommunications terminal.

The following numbered clauses provide further aspects and features ofexample embodiments:

1. A communications terminal, comprising

a transmitter configured to transmit signals representing data via awireless access interface to an infrastructure equipment and a receiverconfigured to receive signals from the infrastructure equipment via thewireless access interface, the infrastructure equipment for forming amobile communications network, and

a controller configured in combination with the transmitter and thereceiver

to receive selection information representing a rule for selectingwireless communications networks to transmit data to or receive datafrom the wireless communications networks,

to determine one or more measurements of wireless access interfaces ofthe wireless communications networks to determine which of the wirelesscommunications networks the communications terminal should use totransmit or receiver the data, and

to select one of the wireless communications networks for transmittingor receiving the data in accordance with the selection information incombination with the one or more determined measurements of the wirelessaccess interfaces of the wireless communications networks, the accessserver being provided with an indication of a preferred communicationscharacteristic for transmitting or receiving the signals representingthe data, and receiver is configured

to receive from the access server adapted selection informationproviding an adapted rule for selecting the one of the wirelesscommunications networks, and the controller is configured

to determine one or more adapted measurements of the wireless accessinterfaces in accordance with the preferred communicationscharacteristic, and

to select one of the wireless communications networks which most closelysatisfies the preferred communications characteristic in accordance withthe adapted-determined measurements.

2. A communications terminal according to clause 1, wherein thecontroller is configured in combination with the transmitter

to transmit the preferred communications characteristic to the accessserver, and

to receive from the access server the adapted selection informationcommunicated to the communications terminal.

3. A communications terminal according to clauses 1 or 2, wherein thepreferred communications characteristic includes one of a minimum delay,an indication of a relative mobility of the communications terminal, anindication of a relative power which the communications terminal is toconsume or an indication of an amount of bandwidth which is required bythe communications terminal to communicate the data.

4. A communications terminal according to clause 1, wherein thepreferred communications characteristic includes an indication of a typeof the communications terminal which is to communicate via the first orthe second communications networks.

5. A communications terminal according to clause 1, wherein thecontroller is configured in combination with the transmitter

to transmit one or more parameters to the access server, and thecontroller is configured to control the receiver

to receive from the access server the adapted selection information, theselection information being adapted by the access server in response toreceiving the one or more parameters, the access server adapting theselection information in response to the received one or moreparameters.

6. A communications terminal according to clause 5, wherein the one ormore parameters transmitted to the access server include a relativelocation of the communications terminal, the access server beingconfigured to adapt the selection information in accordance with therelative location of the communications terminal.

7. A communications terminal according to clause 6, wherein theselection information is adapted by the access server in accordance withthe relative location of the communications terminal, by identifyingthat the communications terminal should be able to access one or more ofthe wireless communications networks from the relative location of thecommunications terminal.

8. A communications terminal according to clause 1, wherein thecontroller is configured to control the transmitter and the receiver

to attach to one of the wireless communications networks,

to request from the access server the selection information providingthe indication of whether to transmit or to receive the data via thefirst or the second wireless access interfaces, and

to receive the adapted selection information from the access server viathe wireless communications networks.

9. A communications terminal according to clause 1, wherein one of thedetermined measurements of the first and the second communicationsnetworks includes an indication of a radio access technology which isused to transmit the signals on the wireless access networks, and thecontroller is configured

to select one of the wireless communications networks to transmit and toreceive the data in accordance with radio access technology which willminimise a power consumed by the communications terminal.

10. A communications terminal according to clause 1, wherein one of thedetermined measurements of the first and the second communicationsnetworks includes a stand-by time which the controller can adopt in adiscontinuous reception or transmission mode, and the controller isconfigured

to select the first or the second communications networks to transmitand to receive signals in accordance with the type of transmissionsignals which will maximise the stand-by time.

11. A communications terminal according to clause 1, wherein thedetermined measurement includes a relative cost of communicating via thefirst and the second mobile communications network.

12. An access server for providing selection information tocommunications terminals to attach to wireless communications networks,the access server comprising

a receiver unit for receiving requests from the communications terminalsfor the selection information which provide rules for selecting one ofthe wireless communications networks via which the communicationsterminals should transmit data to or receive data from the wirelessaccess network,

a transmitter unit for transmitting the selection information to thecommunications terminals, and

a controller for controlling the transmitter unit and the receiver unitand configured to retrieve the selection information from a data storein response to a received request from a communications terminal and totransmit the retrieved selection information to the communicationsterminal, wherein the access server is provided for one or more of thecommunications terminals with an indication of a preferredcommunications characteristic for transmitting or receiving signalsrepresenting data, and the controller is configured

in response to the receiver unit receiving a request for selectioninformation from one of the one or more communications terminals, toadapt the selection information in dependence upon the preferredcommunications characteristic of the communications terminal, and

to transmitted the adapted selection information to the communicationsterminal for selecting one of the wireless communications networks.

13. An access server according to clause 12, wherein the controller isconfigured in combination with the receiver unit to receive anindication of the preferred communications characteristic from thecommunications terminal.

14. An access server according to clause 12, wherein the access serveris configured to receive an indication of the preferred communicationscharacteristic of the communications terminal from a wirelesscommunications network.

15. An access server according to clause 12, wherein the preferredcommunications characteristic includes one of a minimum delay, anindication of a relative mobility of the communications terminal, anindication of a relative power which the communications terminal is toconsume or an indication of an amount of bandwidth which is required bythe communications terminal to communicate the data.

16. An access server according to clause 12, wherein the preferredcommunications characteristic includes an indication of a type of thecommunications terminal which is to communicate via the first or thesecond communications networks.

17. An access server according to clause 12, wherein the receiver unitis configured to receive from communications terminal one or moreparameters to the access server, and in response to receiving the one ormore parameters from the communications terminal, the access server isconfigured to adapt the selection information, which is transmitted tothe communications terminal for selecting the wireless communicationsnetworks.

18. A communications system for communicating data to and from acommunications terminal, the communications system comprising aplurality of wireless communications networks arranged to transmitsignals to and receive signals from the communications terminal viawireless access interfaces,

an access server configured to provide selection information tocommunications terminals representing rules for selecting one of thewireless communications networks to transmit data to or receive datafrom the wireless communications network,

and the communications terminal is configured

to receive from the access server the selection information forselecting one of the wireless communications networks, which thecommunications terminal should access for transmitting or receiving thedata, to determine one or more measurements of the wireless accessinterfaces of the wireless communications networks, and

to select one of the wireless communications networks for transmittingor receiving the data in accordance with the selection information incombination with the one or more determined measurements of the wirelessaccess interface of the wireless communications networks, wherein theaccess server is provided with an indication of a preferredcommunications characteristic for transmitting or receiving the signalsrepresenting the data, and in dependence upon the preferredcommunications characteristic the access server is configured

to adapt the selection information transmitted to the communicationsterminal for selecting the one of the wireless communications networks,and

in accordance with the preferred communications characteristic thecommunications terminal is configured to adapt the determinedmeasurements, and

to select one of the wireless communications networks which most closelysatisfy the preferred communications characteristic in accordance withthe adapted-determined measurements.

19. A method of communicating data from a communications terminal to awireless communications network or receiving data from the wirelesscommunications network, the method comprising

providing an access server, attached to a wireless communicationsnetwork, with selection information for communications terminals, theselection information representing rules for selecting a wirelesscommunications network to transmit data to or receive data from thewireless communications network via a wireless access interface,

receiving at the communications terminal from the access server theselection information representing a rule for selecting the wirelesscommunications network, which the communications terminal should accessfor transmitting or receiving the data,

determining one or more measurements of wireless access interfaces ofthe mobile communications networks which are available to thecommunications terminal, and

selecting one of the mobile communications networks for transmitting orreceiving the data in accordance with the selection information incombination with the one or more determined measurements of the wirelessaccess interface of the wireless communications networks, wherein thereceiving at the communications terminal from the access server theselection information comprises

providing the access server with an indication of a preferredcommunications characteristic for transmitting or receiving the signalsrepresenting the data, and

in dependence upon the preferred communications characteristic theaccess server adapting the selection information transmitted to thecommunications terminal for selecting the wireless communicationsnetwork,

in accordance with the preferred communications characteristic, adaptingthe determined measurements, and

selecting one of the communications networks which most closelysatisfies the preferred communications characteristic in accordance withthe adapted-determined measurements.

Various further aspects and features of the present invention aredefined in the appended claims. It will appreciated that the example ofLTE and terminology in respect of LTE has been provided for one exampleonly and other access networks which are 3GPP or non-3GPP may be used.

There are many alternatives of information/measurement for specificselection strategy. If there is a correlation/relation betweeninformation in this embodiment and another one, this could be replacedin line with selection strategy.

1. A communications terminal, comprising: a transmitter configured totransmit signals via a wireless access interface to an infrastructureequipment for forming a mobile communications network; a receiverconfigured to receive signals from the infrastructure equipment via thewireless access interface; and a controller configured, in combinationwith the transmitter and the receiver, to receive selection informationthat represents a rule for selecting a wireless communications network,of a plurality of wireless communication networks, in which to transmitor receive data; determine one or more measurements of wireless accessinterfaces of the plurality of wireless communications networks todetermine which wireless communications network the communicationsterminal should select to transmit or receive the data; and select afirst wireless communications network, of the plurality of wirelesscommunications networks, in accordance with the selection informationand the one or more measurements, wherein when the receiver receivesadapted selection information providing an adapted rule for selecting awireless communications network, the controller is configured todetermine one or more adapted measurements of the wireless accessinterfaces in accordance with the adapted selection information; andselect a second wireless communications network, of the plurality ofwireless communications networks, which satisfies the adapted rule inaccordance with the adapted-determined measurements.
 2. Thecommunications terminal of claim 1, wherein the adapted rule correspondsto one or more of a minimum delay, an indication of a relative mobilityof the communications terminal, an indication of a relative power whichthe communications terminal is to consume or an indication of an amountof bandwidth which is required by the communications terminal tocommunicate the data.
 3. The communications terminal of claim 1, whereinthe controller is configured to control the transmitter to transmit oneor more parameters to the first wireless communication network, and thefirst wireless communication network generates the adapted selectioninformation based on the one or more parameters.
 4. The communicationsterminal of claim 3, wherein the one or more parameters transmitted tothe first wireless network include a relative location of thecommunications terminal, and the first wireless network is configured togenerate the adapted selection information in accordance with therelative location of the communications terminal.
 5. The communicationsterminal of claim 4, wherein the first wireless network is configured togenerate the adapted selection information by identifying whether thecommunications terminal is able to access the first wirelesscommunications network from the relative location of the communicationsterminal.
 6. The communications terminal of claim 1, wherein thecontroller is configured to control the transmitter and the receiver toattach to the first wireless communications network.
 7. Thecommunications terminal of claim 1, wherein one of the measurements ofthe wireless communications interfaces includes an indication of a radioaccess technology used to transmit the signals on the plurality of thewireless communication networks, and the controller is configured toselect the first wireless communications network and to transmit andreceive the data in accordance with radio access technology which willminimize the power consumed by the communications terminal.
 8. Thecommunications terminal of claim 1, wherein one of the measurements ofthe wireless communications interfaces includes a stand-by time whichthe controller adopts in a discontinuous reception or transmission mode,and the controller is configured to select the first wirelesscommunications network to transmit and receive signals in accordancewith the type of transmission signals which will maximize the stand-bytime.
 9. The communications terminal of claim 1, wherein the determinedone or more measurements include a relative cost of communicating viathe first wireless communications network.
 10. A communicationsterminal, comprising: circuitry configured to transmit signals via awireless access interface to an infrastructure equipment for forming amobile communications network; receive signals from the infrastructureequipment via the wireless access interface; receive selectioninformation that represents a rule for selecting a wirelesscommunications network, of a plurality of wireless communicationnetworks, in which to transmit or receive data; determine one or moremeasurements of wireless access interfaces of the plurality of wirelesscommunications networks to determine which wireless communicationsnetwork the communications terminal should select to transmit or receivethe data; select a first wireless communications network, of theplurality of wireless communications networks, in accordance with theselection information and the one or more measurements; receive adaptedselection information providing an adapted rule for selecting a wirelesscommunications network; determine one or more adapted measurements ofthe wireless access interfaces in accordance with the adapted selectioninformation; and select a second wireless communications network, of theplurality of wireless communications networks, which satisfies theadapted rule in accordance with the adapted-determined measurements. 11.The communications terminal of claim 10, wherein the adapted rulecorresponds to one or more of a minimum delay, an indication of arelative mobility of the communications terminal, an indication of arelative power which the communications terminal is to consume or anindication of an amount of bandwidth which is required by thecommunications terminal to communicate the data.
 12. The communicationsterminal of claim 10, wherein the circuitry is configured to transmitone or more parameters to the first wireless communication network, andthe first wireless communication network generates the adapted selectioninformation based on the one or more parameters.
 13. The communicationsterminal of claim 12, wherein the one or more parameters transmitted tothe first wireless network include a relative location of thecommunications terminal, and the first wireless network is configured togenerate the adapted selection information in accordance with therelative location of the communications terminal.
 14. The communicationsterminal of claim 13, wherein the first wireless network is configuredto generate the adapted selection information by identifying whether thecommunications terminal is able to access the first wirelesscommunications network from the relative location of the communicationsterminal.
 15. The communications terminal of claim 10, wherein thecircuitry is configured to perform control to attach to the firstwireless communications network.
 16. The communications terminal ofclaim 10, wherein one of the measurements of the wireless communicationsinterfaces includes an indication of a radio access technology used totransmit the signals on the plurality of the wireless communicationnetworks, and the circuitry is configured to select the first wirelesscommunications network and to transmit and receive the data inaccordance with radio access technology which will minimize the powerconsumed by the communications terminal.
 17. The communications terminalof claim 10, wherein one of the measurements of the wirelesscommunications interfaces includes a stand-by time which the circuitryadopts in a discontinuous reception or transmission mode, and thecircuitry is configured to select the first wireless communicationsnetwork to transmit and receive signals in accordance with the type oftransmission signals which will maximize the stand-by time.
 18. Thecommunications terminal of claim 10, wherein the determined one or moremeasurements include a relative cost of communicating via the firstwireless communications network.
 19. A method performed by acommunications terminal, the method comprising: transmitting signals viaa wireless access interface to an infrastructure equipment for forming amobile communications network; receiving signals from the infrastructureequipment via the wireless access interface; receiving selectioninformation that represents a rule for selecting a wirelesscommunications network, of a plurality of wireless communicationnetworks, in which to transmit or receive data; determining one or moremeasurements of wireless access interfaces of the plurality of wirelesscommunications networks to determine which wireless communicationsnetwork the communications terminal should select to transmit or receivethe data; selecting a first wireless communications network, of theplurality of wireless communications networks, in accordance with theselection information and the one or more measurements; receivingadapted selection information providing an adapted rule for selecting awireless communications network; determining one or more adaptedmeasurements of the wireless access interfaces in accordance with theadapted selection information; and selecting a second wirelesscommunications network, of the plurality of wireless communicationsnetworks, which satisfies the adapted rule in accordance with theadapted-determined measurements.